John Harrison Shot
16 December 1803On Thursday night, the Earl of Carlisle's game keeper with other assistants were watching the woods belonging to his Lordship, they heard some guns fired in Wath Wood, about 12 o'clock. They immediately went to the place where they heard the shots and separated in different directions, with a view to apprehend the poachers.
When they approached the wood, John Harrison an under gamekeeper belonging to his Lordship, seeing two men fire at pheasants, - he attempted to get over the hedge into the wood and he was shot at. The offenders ran off and were pursued by the other Gamekeepers. One of them was taken after a violent struggle. This man was the one who shot John Harrison and he made known his accomplices, three in number.
The following day, they were secured and taken To York Assizes for trial.
